Pick-matcher for automatic weft-replenishing looms.



.` DAY. P10K MATGHBR POE AUTOMATIC WEET REPLBNISHING Looms.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 27, 1908.

Patented'uly 19, 1910.

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PMM ag/ P. DAY; PICK MATCHBRFOR AUTOMATIC WEPT REPLENISHING LOOMS..

APPLIOATIONTILED JULY27. 1908.

Patented Julyv 19., 1910.

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i K 40 @my l). DAY. PICK MATGHBR POR-AUTOMATIC WBF'l. REPLENISHING LOOMS.

Y APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1.9Q8. 964,497'p y Patented Ju1y19,191o.

y y Simms-SEEE@ g. FI G e' a DAY. PICKLMATGHER FOR AUTOMATIC WEFT RBPLENISHING LOOMS. APPLICATION P11131) JULY 27, 1908.

964,497. I Patented Ju1y19,1910

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P. DAY.

PICK MATCHER FOR AUTOMATIC WEPT REPLBNISHING LOOMS.

I APPLIGATION FILED JULY 2v. '1908. 964,497. Patented Ju1y19,1910.

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OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER COMPANY, 0F

HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F MAINE.

PICK-MATCHER FOR AUTOMATIC WEFT-REPLENISHING LOOMS.

Specifica-tion of Letters Patent.

Patented July 19, 191()r Application med hay V27', 190e.v serial No. 445,600.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL DAY, residing at Hopedale, in the county of Torcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Pick-Matcher for Automatic lVeft-Replenishing Looms, of which the following is a specification. i

With automatic weft-replenishing looms, such as that set forth in United States Letters Patent of James H. Northrop, .No 529,940, November 27, 1894, wherein the weft is automatically replenished when the running weft thread breaks or is exhausted,

some classes of fabrics that the pick shoul be matched; that is to sayfi the lirst strand of the fresh weft should be laid in the same shed as that which was formed whenthe running weft failed. Various mechanisms have already been devised for thus matching the pickin automatic weft-replenishing looms, but they involve the 'employment of two independent. weftforks at opposite sidesof the loom in order to effect the desired result.

In accordance with the present improvement a single detector or weft-fork is employed, and while the result may occasionally be to leave a partial pick in a shed, yet this partial pick in all cases where it occurs will extend more than half the width of the cloth, which is a sufficiently close approximation to exact matching of the pick in the weaving of some classes of fabrics.

In accordance with the present improvements, the' single weft detector is a center weft fork acting among and at the middle of the Warp threads. This center fork cooperates with a single double-acting wefthammer and with suitable differential delaying mec'hanism so that the shuttle will always be at thelsupply side of the loom when the replenishment occuisirres eotive of the direction in which the shutt e was.

traveling at the time the failure of weft occurred. This differential delaying'mechanism is cordinated with the harnessmo` tic-n or shedding mechanism of the loom so that the irstpick of fresh weft is laid in the shed which was open at the time the center fork detected weft absence. y

This improved pick matcher is particu- -larly designed for employment with automatic wett-replenishing looms, like that of the aforesaid-Northrop Patent No. 529,940

in which the replenishing mechanism acts to substitute a fresh bobbinor other weft-carrier for the spent weft-carrier in the work- 'ing shuttle; Vln such looms it is important that'the loom should automatically stop in case there is an entire failure of weft, such as occurs, for example, in. case the magazine for the supply weft-carriers should hewholly exhausted, also, the Northrop loom is equipped with mechanism whichl suspends the action of the replenishing mechanism in case ,the shuttle is not in correct register with the weft 4supply when replenishment should occur (as set forth, for example, in

' the United States Letters Patent of James H. Northrop, No. 529,943, November Q7, 1894) and it is important that this mechanlism should be retained and that its presence shall not result in putting the replenishing out of time with the shedding mechanism. Also, the Northrop loom employs an automatically threading shuttle (one form of which is shown in United States Letters Patent of William F. Draper, No. 834,607, Oct. 3),4 1906) and should the thread of the freshly inserted weft-carrier break on the first traverse of the replenished shuttle across the loom, or should the shuttle fail to thread, it is important that there should be no disturbance of synehronism between the replenishing and the shedding. In accordance with the present,improvements provision is made for stopping the loom on any' of these contingencies, or in the event of any occurrence which might have the effect of disturbing the synchronism between the replenishing action and the shedding. I

In the accompanying drawings there is illustrated one embodiment of the present improvements in connection with an automatic weft-replenishing loom of the Northrop type in 'which there is a magazinefor spare weft-carriers at one side only of the loom and in which there are three harnesses which progressI regularly and without any abnormal action by reason of the presence of the pick-matching mechanism, and in which the picking of t-he Ishuttle back and forth continues without any abnormality due to the pick-matching mechanism. Such shedding and weft-supplying mechanisms are assumed for convenience in description and illustration of the improvements. The improvements in many aspects are applicag fee/ine? being at the opposite side of the loom. Fig.

' weft-hammer. Fig. 5 is a side view of they 3 is a Vertical cross-section of the breastbeam of the loom illustrating the differential delaying mechanism in side elevation, this mechanlsm being shown in its normal stationary idle position. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the cam. which actuates the double-acting differential delaying mechanism partly in section illustrating the position of the parts just. following the detection of weft absence when the shuttle is traveling toward the supply side of the loom. Fig. 6 is a 'side view of the differential delaying mechanism partly in section illustrating the position of the parts which they occupy when the weftreplenishment followsthe detection of weft absence occurring when vthe shuttle is traveling toward the supply side lof the loom.

,n loom. Fig. 12

.Fig 7 is a side view, partly in section, of the differential delaying mechanism illustrating the position of the parts following replenishment and showing lthe parts in position toy stop the loom'in case a thread is not laid following the attempt of the di'erential 46 mechanism to bring about a fresh supply of weft. Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 1.1 are side views of the differential delaying mechanism (in whole or in part) partly in section illustrating successive positions following the detection of weft absence when the shuttle is traveling away from the supply side of the is a horizontal section through the differential delaying mechanism in the regular plane indicated by the' line 1.2"12 in Fig. 3. Fig. 13 is a vertical crossscction of the differential delaying mechanism in the plane indicated by the line 13-13 of Fig. 12. Fig. 14. is a vertical cross-section' of the differential delaying mechanism in the plane indicated by the line 1&14 of Fig.` 12. Fig. 15 is a side view of a part of the differential delaying mechanism. partly in section, illustrating the position of the parts when thel weft supply is put into action following thedetection of weft absence occurring When the shuttle is traveling away from the supply side of the loom.

itial idle position,

swinging said lever on its pivot.

A is `center fork (Figs. 1 and 2) of 'known type which is carried by the lay B at its middle so as to work among the warp threads at their middle. The illustrated weft fork and its'adjuncts' (except so far as modified in accordance with the present improvements as will be hereinafter set forth) are similar to the center fork and its adjuncts set forth in application for Letters Patent of Great Britain 'of The British Northrop Loom Company, Limited, Numafter the shuttle has passed it during its flight through the shed'in either direction.

ln case the center fork detects weft 'ab' sence the dagger 20 (Figs. 1 and 2) controlled thereby encounters the upper end of a centrally pivoted lever 21, thereby carrying said upper end forward and hence This lever is connected by a link 22 (Fig: l) with a crank arm 23 (Fig. 2) on a rocking starting shaft 24, and the forward swing of the upper end of the lever 21 thus rocks said shaft. This shaft extends horizontally and beneath the inner portion of the differential delaying mechanism and at its inner end this rock shaft has a crank arm (Figs. 3 and 9) to whichv ispivoted the lower end of a vertically extending link 25. The rocking of the starting shaft 24 effects the pulling down of a hook C and a dog E into the path of the upper end of a vibrating doubleacting weft-'hammer D. The extreme rear and forward positions of the wefthammer are indicated 1n Fig. 3. The differential action of the differential delaying mechanism depends uponv whether or not the weft hammer first engages the hook C or the dog E, and this is determined according to the direction in which the shuttle is traveling when the detection of weft absence occurs. The weft hammer as usual is actuated by a cam on the cam shaft of the loom so that its complete back and forth reciprocation occurs ence for each two picks of the loom.

Hence, it will occupy its forward position d during the pick of the shuttle in one direction and its rearwardposition during the pick of the shuttle in the opposite direction.

The present differential delaying mechanism is so organized that when the weft fails with the shuttle traveling toward the supply side of the loom, the weft-hammer will be forward (as shown in fulldines in Fig. 3) when the hook C and the dog E descend and, hence, the hoek C will be caught by the weft-hammer as it subsequently moves back, as is indicated in Fig. 5. On the other hand, should the weft fail when the shuttle is traveling away from the sup-Y ply side of the loom, the weft-hammer will seine? et gencies the differential delaying mechanism will act different-ly.- In both cases there fol- :lows an intervening delay between detection and replenishment .and the delay is different in the two ca ses and is so relatedto the shedding that the same shed will be open to receive the fresh weft which was open when f weft absence was detected by the centerl fork.

The differential delaying mechanism can be mostl readily explained and understood by treating separately those instrumentalities which are broughtv into action under the two contingencies mentioned. Before doing so, however, a` few constructional details will be explained.

The dog E is pivoted at 29 (see Fig. 10) to Aan arm 28 which in turn is pivoted at 30 to amain slidsfG which is mounted to slide A horizontall back and forth in a fixed guide-stan 31' secured to the breast-beam 32 of the loca-afwas best shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14. The main slide G is maintained in its normal rearward position by a spring 40, as shown in Fig. 5. Whenever the main i. slide is moved forward this spring restores it to itsnormal' rearward position when free e to do so. A shoulder 49 on the main slide 35 G encounters the fixed guide-stand 31 (Fig.

5) and holds the main slide in its normal rearwardv position.

The main slide if* ca iries a swinging coupler H which is p, 'oted at, 30 to the main slide and is adapted to swing upand down. Normally, this dagger occupies an elevated position, as shown in Figli, so that it is abow'e and out of coperat-ion with a bunter I. Hence, the reciprocation of such dagger together with the main lslide has no effect on, the bunter I. This bunter is fast to the change shaft J (Figs. 1 and 2) of the weft replenishing mechanism. This chan e shaft isr that commonly employed in the horthrop loom. When it is rocked it brings about the insertion of a fresh weftcarrier in the working shittle and the concurrent ejection of 'the spent weft-carrier. This weft replenishin mechanism is now so well known that no il ustration or description are considered necessary. The change shaft J itself is a suiiicient conventional representation of this weft-replenishingi` mechanism. Such mechanism is shown, for example, in the Northro'p Patent No. .529,940 heretofore mentioned'. The change shaft with its bunter l,

. cmstitutestl'w controlling means for the reiplenishing instrumentalities, and its movement ispreliminary to the action of such in- I vvtlumeutalities. In case thel coupler H should occupy a lower position, as shown in- Fig. 6 or in Fig. 15, when the main slide'G y is moved forward, then it encounters the bunter-I, the change shaft J is rocked, and the weft-supply 'mechanism is put into ae- 70 tion.

The 4hook C is pivoted at 26 (Figs. 3 and 8) to an'auxiliary or hook: slide if which slides back and forth upon the main slide G, being suitably guided thereby, as indicated in Figs. 13 and 1l. This auxiliary or hook slide' F is capable of sliding either with or independently of the main slide. Except as hereinafter specified, it moves back and forth` together with the main slide G, being' 8'() maintained in position relatively to the main slide both hy gravity and by the frictio-n spring 4:1, shown in Figs. (i, 12 and 13. In addition there is a third or cam slidevK which can move independently of both of the g5 other slides or with either. This cam slide y is mounted and guided within the main slide 4Gr, (see Figs. 12 and 18) so as to slide back and forth. Commonly, and except as here! inafter stated, this cam slide moves back and forth with the main slide', being maintained in proper position thereon both by gravity and the friction spring 42 shown in Fig. 12. The fundamental purpose of this cam slide is to determine when the coupler H shall move down into the plane of the bunter I, such down movement being followed by the action of the weft-suppl ing mechanism.

The hook C has a -s ot-and-pin connection 39 (Fig. with the link 25 and said hook is normally held uplifted bythe spring connection 38 (Fig. 9) between the lower end of said. link and the starting shaft 24. The hook C has a laterally extending hori- 'zontal projection 27 which extends beneath 105 the arm 28 carryin the dog E, as shown in Figs. 7 and 16. l encethe dog E-is normall uplifted and when the hook C deseen s it also descends by gravity.

The' differential action, as already stated, is followed by delays of different duration betweenv detection and replenishment, del pendingupon the direction in which the shuttle is trayelingy when weft` failure occurs. This involves a number of intervening beats ofthe lay when the shedding lucchanism continues -toact and when the shuttle is traversing back and forth carrying no thread so that the weft fork .at each bea-t detects weft absence. The differential delaying mechanism is so constructed and organ'ized, as willhereinafter`r appear, that'the` successive detections either have no effect at ail or else are instrumental in bringing about the weft-supplying action. As the lay 125 moves forward after detection,Y the dagger 20 first enconntersthe upper end of thelever 21, thereby rocking shaft 24, pulling ,down link 25, so that both hook C and dog E descend by gravity into the plane of the'path ofthe weft-hammer. However, during the i lay encounters an upwardly extending arm 38 (see Figs. 1 and 9) carried by the starting shaft 24, thereby rocking said shaft back to its normal posit-ion and hence elevating the link through spring connection 88. This rocking of the starting shaft first in one direction and then the other occurs during every forward beat of the lay when the center fork detects the absence of weft.

4down into the plane of the bunter I.

Now, assuming the case that the weft fails while the shuttle is traveling toward the supply side-\of the loom before the eye of the shuttle reaches the path of the center fork: In such case the center fork will detect weft absence, the starting shaft 2l will be rocked,.and the hook C and dog E will be lowered at a time when the weft-hammer is at or near its forward position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3. Hence, the hook C will be caught by the backwardly moving weft-hammer shown in Fig. 5. The wefthammer thus catches the hook C before the lay reaches front center. Hence, when the starting shaft 24 is restored to its normal position by the lay pin 37 encountering the arm 33, the hook (l has already been engaged by the weft-hammer and'can not be disengaged therefrom since the spring connection 38 between the starting shaft'Qt and link 25 then yields. During this backward Stroke of the Wefthammer while engagilnr` the hook C, the hook slide F is drawn bac t independently of the then stationary main .sl-ide G. Pivoted to the hook slide F is a finger 34 (Figs. 3 and 5) which extends down with its lower end in front of the cam slide K, so that the cam slide K slides back together with the hook slide F a sufficient distance to enable the coupler H to droxp i' s shown in Figs. 8 andv 16, the coupler H is normally held in its uplifted position by means of'a depending toe 35 resting on the high level a of the cam slide K. 1When thus upheld the coupler H is above and out vof the. plane of the cooperating end of the bunter I. When, however, the cam slide K is moved back by the backward movement of the finger 84 during the rearward "movement of the weft-hammer while holding onto the hook C, it is moved far enough at one stroke to bring its coperating lower level b beneath the toe 35 of coupler H; and, accordingly, said coupler drops by gravity untilv its toe 85 rests on the level b of the cam slide, as is shown in Fig. 5. This lowers the coupler H so that its forward end is then in the same horizontal plane as the bunter I. If, therefore, the main slide Gr to which the coupler.l H is pivoted should then be moved forward, the coupler H would encounter the bunter I, andthe change shaft J would be rocked and fresh weft would be supplied to the loom. This result is effected because at the next forward movement of the wefthamnier it encounters the dog E (as shown in Fig. 6) thereby forcing said dog, together with the main slide G and the coupler II forward, during which movement said coupler encounters the bunter I and the change shaft is rocked.

Between the rearward movement of the weft-hammer when it pulls the hook C together with the cam slide K back with it, and the next forward movement of the wefthammer when it encounters the dog E, there is another detection of weft absence by the center fork which is followed by a rocking of the starting shaft 24, thereby insuring the weft-hammer moves forward. Consequently, the weft-hammer is sure to encounter vthe weft-supplying mechanism.

It will be seen that there is a delay between detection of weft absence and the supply of weft (in the case under considera tion) which is equal to something more than a complete back and forth stroke of the in duration the period required for two complete' beats of the lay. This delay is suticicnt (in `the case of a three harness loom wherein Wthe shedding progresses uninterruptedly) to open for the reception of fresh weft the same shed which was open when the detection of weft absence occurred. llcnce, the pick will be matched. In further explanation ofthis it will benoted that the assumption is that the thread ran Aout just before the center fork reached when the shuttle was traveling toward the supply side of the loom. During the following completion of the forward beat of the lay, the weft-hammer ca ches the hook on its backward movement `While the weft-hammer is moving back and then forward again, the empty shuttle makes two excursions across the lay; first away from the supply side of the loom, and secondly back again to the supply side of the loom. Hence, the

is at the supply side of the loom. The timing of thev differential delaying mechanism is such that fresh -weft is then supplied to the shuttle. Calling the pick at which de tecti on of weft absence was made as the first shuttle at the completion of this third pick dop; E' being in its lower position when the dog E and thereby effect the action of the weft-hammer and hence somewhat exceeding .first an pick, the freshly supplied shuttle will.' ass vslide brings the high level h beneath the tail Y' across the lay at the fourth pick. In a t ree harness loom in which the harnesses run regularly, the same shed will be open at the at the fourth pick. Hence the firstV pick of fresh weft will be laid in the same shed as the partialpick extending less than half way across the cloth. Hence, under this statedv case, the shed will have 'a partial pick of the spent weft and a full pick of the fresh weft, this being permissible in the class of fabrics for which this mechanism is adapted.v A fresh strand of weft being thus laid in the shed, thevcenter fork will (on-the next forward beat of the lay) not swing far enough to effect the differential delaying mechanism, and all Ipart-s of the differential delaying mechanism will be restored to their normal positions.

is the weft-hammer moves back following the supply of weft, the main slide will move back with it to its normal position under the stress of the spring (Fig. 5). )Vlien in its back and forth movements the weft-hammer becomes free from contact with the hook C and the dog E, the spring connection 38 between the rock shaft 24 and the link 25 lifts the hookv C and hence the dog E (through the lifting projection 27y on hook C) to their normal uplifted positions out of the path of the weft-hammer. Fi-

nally, on the next following forward stroke of the weft-hammer it encounters both 4the cam'slide K and the hook slide F and forces them forward to their normal stationary positions.

It is desirable that precaution should' be taken to. prevent the dog E being prematurely elevated out of reach of the wefthammer. As just stated, the first action of the weft-hammer (in the case under consideration) is to engage the hook C as it is moving backward and to carry it to the-position shownin Fign. The weft-hammer then moves forward and loses its hold on the hookA C which is thereupon moved .upwardly by the sprin 38, and thereafter said hook is under the ifting force of the said spring. This upward movement may be suliicient to lift the hook out of the path of the wefthammer but it must not be 'effective to move the dog E outjof the path of the weft-hammer. To prevent this happening, the pivoted arm 28 which carries the dog E has adownwardly projecting tail 50 which cooperates with a high level It and two low levels g and i of the cam slide K. When the cam slide K occupies its forward position, as' shown in Fig. 3, this tail 50 is in register with the low level g and is below the high level 7i.. When, however, the dog E and its arm 28 descend, 4as shown in Fig. 5, the tail 50 is lifted out of the low place g so as to leave the cam slide K free tomove' backward. The backward movement of the cam 50.(Fig. 5) and hence prevents the upward swinging of the dog E so that it is maintained in the' path of the weft-hammer and C. Incidentally it may here be stated that the downward swing of the dog E is limited by a strut 48 (Figs. 7 and 10,) on the arm 28 encountering the top of the cam slide G.

The dog cannot be lifted to its normal elevated position until the tail 50 is freed from the high level 'L of the cani slide. This freeing is effected by a forward movement of the tail 50 relatively to the cam slide so that said tail 50 is brought into register withv the low level z' of the'cain slide; this being indicated in Fig. 6. When this is done, then the dog E is free to be swung up under the influence of the spring 38 as soon as released from the pressure of the wef-haininer. This relative movementnbetween the cam slide K and the tail 50 is due to the fact that the cam slide K is vheld from moving forwardly with the main slide Gr during the weft-supply controlling forward movement of the main slide G and its coupler H. To this end, the fixed guide-stand 31vhas pivoted to it a gravity pawl L. This pawl rests at itsfree end upon a guard 43 (Fig. 5) 'carried by the main slide G and which overhangs the cam slide K. When now the main slide G is moved forward. by the weft-hammer acting on the dog E (as shown in Fig. 6) the guard 43 passes forward beneath the awl L, the point of which thereupon fal s in front of a ratchet tooth of the cam slide K, thereby preventing any further forward movement of the cam slide with the main slide. Hence, during the completion of the forward movement of the main slide, the cam slide remains stationary and henceithe tail 50 is carried forward over the low level z' of the cam slide, as shown in Fig. 6, thus leaving the dog E free to be lifted to its normal position. The following rear movement of the main slide G under the influence of its spring 40 causes the guard 43 to lift the pawl L free of the tooth e so that the cam slide K is then free to be moved forward to its normal position when encountered by the weft-hammer on its next forward stroke. Thus, all the parts of the differential delaying mechanism are restoredto their normal positions.

So far, there 'has only been considered the case of the detection of weft absence by the center fork when the shuttle is traveling toward the supply side of the loom.' Assume,

now, that the shuttle is traveling away from thesupply side and lays a partial pick ifi lthe shed, but not suicient to reach to the then rocked and the hook C and the dog E.

are lowered. ln this case the hook C together with its slide F and linger 84; has no functionA and it is only necessary to consider the dog E and its cooperating instrumentalities. As this detection takes place at a half revolution of the cam shaft from the position thereof when weft absence is detected at the` opposite flight of the shuttle, the weft-hammer will be hack (as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3) when the dog Edescends into cooperating position. Accordingly, the dog Eis then in position to be encountered by the weft-hammer as the weft-hammer then moves forward. The weft-hammer accordingly engages the dog E and carries forward with it the main slide Gr and the coupler H, but no effect is had on the weft supply because the coupler H is then elevated and passes idly above the vbunter I. During the first part of this relative movement of the main slide Gr, the cam slide K nieves concurrently with the main slide. This forward movement of the main slide, however, carries the guard 43 beneath the pawl L, whereupon the pawl catches in front of the 'rearward ratchet tooth c of the cam slide (Fig. 8) and holds the cam slide stationary during the completion of the forward move ment ofthe main slide.

Fig. 8 shows the position of the parts at the completion of the lirstforward stroke of the weft-hammer. As here shown the cam slide K has been moved relatively to the main slide sufficiently to lock the dog E in its lowermost position through the engagement of its high level L with the tail but the relative movement has not been suiiicient to free the toe 35 of the coupler ll from the high level a so that-said coupler still remains uplifted. During the next backward stroke of the weft-hammer, theI main slide Gr and cam slide K move back under the stress of the spring 1l() (Fig. 5) until the main slide reaches its normal position. Fig. 9 illustrates the position of the parts when the weft-hammer is then all the way back. As here shown, the dog E is locked down hy the engagement of its tail 50 with the high level h, and the toe of the coupler H is still resting on the high level cz. On its next or second forward movement, the weft-hammer again encounters the 'dog E carrying forward the main slide G and the coupler H which being still 'uplifted passes idly over the bunter l. This time, also, the forward movement of the main slide withdraws the guard it?) from beneath the pawl L which accordingly drops down and again engages the notched cam slide K, but this time it engages the midd ratchet tooth d thereof, as shown in Fig. l Hence, during the completion of the forward movement of the .main slide G,`the cam slide K is held stationary so that the toe 35 of the coupler ll is brought into register lwith the intermediate level I) of the cam slide. The position of the parts at the completion of this second forward stroke of the weft-hammer is shown in Fig. l0. It will be noted that the dog E is still locked in its lower position by its tail 50 resting on the high level L of the cam slide.

During the second backward stroke of'- the weftfhammer the main slide Gr andthe cam slide K are carried back by the springl 40, and Fig. l1 shows the position of the parts when the weft-hammer is all the way hack the second time. During thisbackward movement the coupler H drops until its toe 35 rests on the intermediate level b, in which position the dagger is in the plane of the bunter l and back of it. The wefthammer then moves forward for the third time and again encounters the dog E which is locked down by the high level h. Accordingly, the slide Gr and coupler H are carried forward, the coupler encounters the bunter I, the wefbreplenishing mechanism is actuated, and a fresh supply of weft is furnished to the working shuttle. During this forward movement the cam slide K goes forward also until the guard 43 passes from beneath the pawl L, which thereupon engages 1 the' third and foremost tooth e of the cam slide K, thus holding the cam slide so that during the filial portion of the movement of the main slide G the tail 50 passes into register with the low level i, (Fig. 15) thus leaving the dog E free to be restored to its upliftcd position out of reach of the weft* hammer. All parts are then restored to their normal positions following weft-replenishment just as in the rst mentioned case.

movements of the weftahammer. The re-y It will be noted that-the. replenish- .ment in this case requires three forward are live back and forth picks of the empty shuttle. Calling pick l that occurring when the center fork detected weft absence due to a partial pick being laid not reaching tothe center fork, picks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are idle,

with the shuttle empty. At the close pick 6 the shuttle is at the supply side; of', the loom and then gets a fresh su plyjof weft. Accordingly, pick 7 is with t e fresh weft. In a three harnessloom with the harnesses running regularly and without interruption or interference, the` same shed will be open the fresh strand of weft will be laid in the same shed as that having the partial piek of the spent weft not reaching to the center fork. h

It will be noted that the differential ac-l tion is due to the fact that whenV the hook C is engaged by the weft-hammer, the cam slide is `at' one stroke moved to the position where it allows the descent of the coupler H so that the replenishment occurs on the at pick 7 as at pick l, and hence ,1

next forward stroke of the weft-hammer. In the other instance, however, the hook C has no function and the slide is moved partiallystepby step lthrough `the action of the pawl L upon the ratchetV teeth ofthe cam slot, so that ineffective forward strokes of the weft-hamxner occur before the coupller H'is brought into cooperative relation with the bunter I. The weft-fork, the differential delaying mechanism, and their' connecting mechanisms together with the weft-hammer constitute pick-matching (levices operating on failure of weft in either 4direction of the pick with selective timing varied to correspond with the direction of the lpick in which vfailure occurs and causnecessary to ybring the cam slide into such position that its level will coperate withl l the toe 35 o f 'the coupler H. Thepawl L and its coperating teeth can be so arranged as to require enough additional strokesv to bring the cam slide into position, both after [the nger 34 has initially acted,.and when 'the dog E, first acts.

y In addition to thetwo cases'already considered, two other cases may arise with the .center fork.v The weft may fail after the shuttle has passed the center fork on itsl way to the supply side of the loom; or it .may fail after the shuttle has passed the center fork when traveling away from the supply side ofthe loom. In bot-h of these ca'ses there will be a partial pick extending more than' half way across the cloth, and in each case the fresh strandy of weft will be `huid not in that shed but in the next following shed. vAccordingly, there will be instances in which there is a shed partially empty, but as such shed will belmore than hnlf'full, the matching of the pick is suffi-- 'cient' in the making of some fabrics.

` Provision is made for the stoppage of the loom under such contingenciesas would disturb the synchronisrn between the shedding and the weft-replenishing mechanisms, or in case the magazine has no spare weft.

The restoration of the differential delayin mechanism to its lnormal. osition invo ves the moving of the cam-'s ide K for# 'ward to its normalposition .by the direct contact therewith of the weftfhammeron.-

'its next forward movement following replenishment, and also'the similar forward movement of the hook slide Fin case the hook has been operated. This independent forward movement of the cam slide K cannot take place if the dog E remains down in the path of the weft-hammer as i't will in case the shuttle gets no fresh supply of thread, because, the shuttle will then be mov- 1 ng the loom and the center fork will detect empty away. from the supply side of weft absence and bring the dog E down -into the path of the forwardly moving weft-hamp mer. This is taken advantage of to stop the loom, no matter to what cause theabsence of weft may then be due,-wheth'er to linal exhaustion of weft in the magazine, to the i action of the shuttle feeler of the Northrop Patent No. 529,943 (above mentioned) or through breakage of thread. As shown in Figs. 6 and l5, the action which'takes place when the bunter I is swung to rock the change shaft J is to bring a low level f of the. cam slide K beneath the toe 35 of the cou ler H. Consequently, when the slides G an K can move back under the action of spring 40, the toe 35 drops onto this low level, (Fig. 7) thus still further depressing the coupler Il so that it is then back and in the` plane of a"` centrally pivoted knock-olf lever M (Figs. 1

and 12) which coperates as usual with the ordinary shipper lever N to sto the loom.

Hence, if there is no thread lai following- 95 movement the weft-hammerwill again en-- gage the dog E, thus moving the main slidethe replenishing action, at its next forwar G' and the couplerI-I forward, whereupon said coupler will encounter the knock-off lever M, thus 'releasing the shipperN, and stopping the loom. Viilien the coupler in its lowest position, shown in Fig. 7, 1t 1s below the plane of the part of the bunter I whichit encounters when in the position shown in Fig. 6; and, consequently, when the coupler encounters the knock-off lever M; p it does not encounter the bunter I soithatthere is no actuation of the change -shaft' o r of the change mechanism when lthe loom is.

stopped.

The weft-hammer has been referred i several times as a double-acting weft-heini4 mer because it performs work on both its.

forward and backward movements, thus differing Ifrom common yweft-hammers. p Dur ing its backward movement 1t may haveto pull on the hook C and thus pull the slide F Vand the cam slide K backward. Oiithe other hand during' its forward movement .1t

has to perform its main duties.' Moreover',-

'its movements must be accurately timed with vrespect to the center fork action and the shedding.'y Fig. l shows a suitable cam`45' on the `cam shaft 46 of the loom andthe weft-hammer is maintained in contact w1t h this cani by the illustrated sprmgjvhlch is powerful enough tovcause the "weftfliammer" raison. 'of the pivoting of the hook C, and the dog to pull the slides F and K back. E, and thebeveling of the top of the vWeft-A hammer, they can swing out of the way of the wett-hammer when required. As several idle picksv take place it is important that the take-np should not advance the cloth. To

this end the lower end of the lever 21 (see of the arm. Q8 ot' the dog E is a precaritionary device to absolutely prevent any disconnection during the period between detection and replenishment. llt mayin some cases be dispensed with. In sneh event a desirable result is aehieved.- lt occasionally happens with center fork looms that, through-slackness in the threads, the center fork may perform its detecting movement while the weft is intact. 1n such event there will be an mmecessary ch ange of wett. W hen the tail 50 is present a change will takeplace under such a contingency and the pioper matching of the pick will not be disturbed. lf.. however, the tail 50 is omitted then the change vxill not takel'ilace because on the piek 'following the detective action olf thcv center fork a thread will be present and the hook C and dosV ll will be lil'ted by the springl 38 with the result that the wetthammer will encounter the slides `and i( and restore them to their normal idle positions. lience the weaving` will eontinne wit-hout unnecessary changes ot wett.'

l claim:

1. An automi-.tie wett-replenishing pickmatehii'ig loom provided with a wett-supplyingl mechanism at one side only and three harnes-y and picking' mechanisms which cop linue their normal. operation during wettahscnce detection `and wett-i'olrilenishnient, said loont havil'ig`r in conil'iiliatioina change 'shaft governingithe action oi the wett-supplying-g mechanism; a single wett-absence detector consisting` ot' a eentlerd'ork, which detects tvetit-.ahsence followin`,thc piek of the shuttle in vboth directions, double-actinpr wett-hannner wl'iich makes one complete reciproeation to two picks oi' the shuttle: a normally idle coupler adapted to cooperate with the change shaft; and af differential delaying mechanism hetween said wett-hamnu3' and coupler, said difterential mecliauism comprising a main slide carryii'ig the coul'iler, (L) a dog carried by the main slide andadapted to he engaged hy the wcl'bhaminor when moving fo"'a1cl, (e) a cam slide with' ratchet teeth which normally holds the coin'ileridlcl` but when moved back a definite distance permits said coupler to operatively engage the change- .shaft, (Il) a pawl which cooperates with said cam slide to hold itl againsty i'ull' ior- `ward movement, (e) a pawl guard carried a si nel e' by the main slide which normally holds said pawl idle, (f) a hook slide, (g) a hook on said slide which is adapted to be engaged'by t e weft-hammer on its back stroke (/L) a linger on said hook slide which cooperates with said cam-slide to move it hack at once into position to permit the coupler to engage the change-shaft, and mechanism governed loyv the center-fork andv controlling the engagement of said dog and hook with the weft-hammer.

Q. An automatic weft--replenishing pickmatchinp; loom provided With a weft-supplying.)r mechanism at one side only and three harness and picking mechanisms which continue ltheir normal operation during` weftabsenee detection and weft-replenishment, said loom havingfin combination, a changeshat't governinp,` the action of the weft-supplyinpmechanism7 a single weft-absence detector consisting' of a center-fork, which detects nett-absence )following` the pick of the shuttle in hothdirections; a single donbleacting wett-hammer which makes one complete reciproca?.ion to two picks of the shuttte; a normally idle c onpler adapted-to cooperate with 4the change shaft., and a differential delaying mechanism between said wett-hanmler and coupler, said differential mechanism comprising: a cam with ratchet teeth which normally holds the coupler idle7 but when moved a definite distance permits said coupler tooperatively engage the change-shaft, and two sets ot' instrnmentali tiestgoverned by .the center-fork and actuated by the wett-hammer7 one of said sets acting to move the cam at once to the'reqnisite distance and the other set acting to'. move said. cam by several successive steps the same distance.

L. du automatic wett-replenishing pick-- matching' loom, provided with a Wett-supplying mechanism at one side only and shedding and piekingi` mechanisms which continue their normal operation during wettabscnce detection and woft-replenishment, said loom liaving` iii'coiiil-iiliz1t1ioi1, a changeshai'ft"y 2governing` the action of the weft-snpplying mechanism; a single weft-absence detector consisting; or' a centcr-tork which detects .ve't-absence following thc piek of 1the shuttle iuboth directions; a single double actingl wett'-hammer which makes one complete ret'fiprocation to two picks of the shuttle; a norn'ially idle coupler adapted to cooperate with the change sha't't; and a dilierential delaying in'eehanism between said wett-hamme and coupler, said diil'en eutial mechanism comprising a cam slide with ratchet teeth which normally holds the coupler idle, but when moved a definite .distance permits said coupler to operatively engage the chantre-shaft, and two sets of instrumentalities governed hy the center-fork and actuated by the wett-hammer, one of eee@ ccm the @qui a mileival, and the 'lu mcy/c Smid ccm 'that die iniciml.

im ce, im.

ie-eric Whici'l plexi el" single "n L @,@ilec'llcns g meel. svlicl'i limites one picks ci the mizlptel te lewis; amil a Lm 'between iid ccupiei' scifi dii/'liermisillg ccm which ldlc, but when #ely engage lle cmnifii'nl eine ci: insre;menaliiee :md ecmazlec Y "l cele zic/Ling e licite, ilsssmce in :l i M+ 'acting .Llm ai) cile Stille Villy :mel elle( glying im im fil pi ckls el- .el-mt Ml ececfl W mechanisms which @cui "le, said; leem lim/ingy combinaicio@1 a, sin gie weft-absence deteetel' consisting ci a eentelhlfm'k; c ccntlclling or cha/nge shaft 'fel lie eplenishiig netiuimentelities; a main slide; ziy weft-hummel); mea-ns cen'tellecl by Suid center-forli to connect scid hammer and slide; a knock-eff level1v adapted by its movement te Stop lelie' leem; c single normally idle coupler aclapecljn one position 'te couple"""' the main slide'to the clmfige shaft and in dlferen'typestmn 'Le couple the mam slide 'with like knock-eff lever and not with the a Sineglc normally idle couple? adcp'ed in one posicion to couple 'ille .mc-in slide lie change shaft? emi 'in difeem pcsi'icn couple ille main slide wiii'i the lmccl-o lever ncl"- Wth the change elicit; and a cam gew/erung the @emplee and controlled in iis; i cvci'ncui; by *Lilie dei', Plien in :mtemalzie 'wel eplenshlmg picknwtcliing loom having, in cembiiaem e Welbsence ietcctcr; ccnrellicg mea-ns for the replenishing vinszvmfneii.fillclesg main slide; e, wel-hamme; meme ccnrelled by said ileectei lo cclmeet gaie?. lmmme and slide; a. kneclvo'lf lever aempited by its move ment te sie, he leem; a vsii'iggle nermally idle complex' adapted in one pcsien couple the main slicle Lc "be'clizmge sha. I and in dii ferent pcsiigien )no couple lie mein slide with "che lmcclceff lever simi nel@ with the change Sli-alt; :nifl n, cam g'eveiniiig the coupler and @embroiled in ils mwemeil; by the fleiyecter.

absence detelzfcr; ectctrclling meme for Elle i'epleniehing iie'iumenfilitiesgl piclemalch mg devices operan here el: Weil; im they du'ectxcn of the pick 'will Selec'llvc tien of the pick in which failure cceme wel fected by supplying fresh weft to the shuti tle, said loom' having, in combination, al

Weftabsence detector; controlling means for the replenishing instrumentalities; 'pickmatchingl devices operating on failure of weft in either direction of the piek -With selective timing varied to correspond With the direction of the ick in which failure occurs and causing t e first pick of fresh weft to be introduced into the proper'shed to receive it, and means to stop theloom in case the shuttle fails to lay thread'after the action of the controlling means for the replenishing instrumentallties.

11. An automatic Weft-replenishing pickmatching loom wherein replenishment 1s effected by supplying fresh weft to the shuttle, said loom having, in combination, weftabsence detecting mechanism operative for picks in both directions; controlling means for the replenishing instrumentalities; pickmatching devices operating on failure of weft in either direction of the pick With selective timing varied to correspond with the direction of the pick in which failure occurs and causing the r'st pick of fresh weft to be introduced into the proper shed to receive it; and means to stop the loom incase the f shuttle fails to lay thread after the action of the controlling means for the replenishing instrnrncntallties.

l2. An automatic weft-replenishing pickmatching loom having, in combination, a vveft-absence detector; controlling means for the replenishing instrumentalities; pickmatching devices operatin on. failure of weft in either direction o the pick With selective timing varied to correspond With the direction of the pick in which failure occurs and causing the `first lpick ofv fresh weft to be introduced into the proper shed to receive it; and means to stop the loom in case the shuttle fails to lay thread after the action ofthe controlling means for the' replenishing instrumentalities, said means being governed by the'weft-absence detector.

A 13. An automatic Weft-replenislliing pickmatching loom having, in combination, a weft-absence detector; controlling means for the replenishing instrumentalities; pickmatching devices operating on failure of weft in either direction of the pick With selective timing varied to correspond With the direction of the pick in which failure occurs and causing the firstpick of fresh weft to be introduced into the proper shed to receive it; and means to stop the loom in case no thread is laid after the action of the controlling means for the replenishing instrumentalitics, said means being governed by the weft-absence detector.

14. An automatic Weft-replenishing pick matching` loom having, in combinatio1i,\veft absence detecting mechanism operative for picks in both directions; controlling means cease? for the replenishing instrumentalities; picki matching devices operating on failurev of weft in either direction of the pick with detective timing varied to correspond With the direction of the pick in which failure occurs and causing the rst pick of fresh' W'eft tov be introduced into the shed to receive it; and

. provided with picking and shedding mechanisms and With weft-supplying mechanism at one side only, said loom havlng, combination, a single weft-absence detector, consisting of a center-fork; and differential delaying mechanism controlled by said detector Which permits a diferent number of idle picks andiof idle shed formations after detection of weft-absence and before wefti'eplenishment depending on the direction in which the shuttle was picked preceding the ``'detection of Weft-absence by the single detector.

16; An automatic Weft-replenishing loom l provided with picking and shedding'mech- 'anisms and With weft-supplying mechanism at one side only said loom having, in combination, a sing e Weft-absence-detectoroperative for icks in both directions and differential de aying mechanism controlled by said detector which ermite a different number of idle'picksandp of idle shed formations after detection of weft-absence and beforeA weft-replenishment depending on the direction in which the shuttle was picked preceding the direction of weftabsence by the single detector.

17. An automatic Weft-replenishin loom provided With picking, shedding an W'eftsupplying mechanisms, said loom having, in combination, a single Weftabsence detect-or operative for icks in both directions; and differential de aying mechanism controlled by said detector Which permits a different number of idle picks and of idle shed'forma* tions after detection of weft-absence and before weitreplenishment' depending on the directioiln which the shuttle Was picked preceding`A the detection of weft-absence by the singlii detector.

18. An automatic W'eft-replenishing loom,

having, in combination, controlling means for the replenishing instrumentalities; detecting mechanism operative for icks in both Adir ections; operative connections between said` detecting mechanism and said conn trolling means so that several successive detections of weft-absence are required to effect replenishment, and said successive detections varying in number depending on the direction of the failing pick; and means for restoring said operative connections to 

